Head to head

Nordlys vs QX MAX (2026)

The biggest practical difference is cost of entry: Nordlys's new pricing is $80k–$110k, while QX MAX's is $70k–$100k. They are used for different treatments (Nordlys: IPL/swt platform; QX MAX: q-switched tattoo/pigment), so the right pick depends on which treatments you're building demand for.

Category group: Hair removal (diode, alexandrite, Nd:YAG, IPL)

Category group: Resurfacing & pigment (ablative, fractional, picosecond, vascular)

Device A

Device B

Price comparison

Price comparison: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
New price range	$80k–$110k	$70k–$100k
Used asking range	$30k–$55k	$20k–$40k
Payback calculator	View ROI calculator	View ROI calculator
Next step

New price range

Candela Nordlys: $80k–$110k
Fotona QX MAX: $70k–$100k

Used asking range

Candela Nordlys: $30k–$55k
Fotona QX MAX: $20k–$40k

Payback calculator

Candela Nordlys: View ROI calculator
Fotona QX MAX: View ROI calculator

Next step

Candela Nordlys

Fotona QX MAX

Consumable economics

Consumable economics: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
Consumable cost / lock-in	The applicators are the consumable: each IPL handpiece carries a flash counter and needs factory recharge after its rated pulse life — ~$2,000-5,000 per recharge, hit every 1-2 years per handpiece at busy volume. Frax applicators have no per-treatment tip. Model $3,000-8,000/year all-in.	—
Service cost	Not published	Not published

Consumable cost / lock-in

Candela Nordlys: The applicators are the consumable: each IPL handpiece carries a flash counter and needs factory recharge after its rated pulse life — ~$2,000-5,000 per recharge, hit every 1-2 years per handpiece at busy volume. Frax applicators have no per-treatment tip. Model $3,000-8,000/year all-in.
Fotona QX MAX: —

Service cost

Candela Nordlys: Not published
Fotona QX MAX: Not published

FDA clearance

FDA clearance: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
FDA status & indication	FDA ClearedK161162, K192951, K212492 “Ellipse Nordlys system is intended to be used in dermatology, as tabled below: • Permanent Hair Reduction (defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime) (overall 600-950nm). • Treatment of Telangiectasias (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Port Wine Stains (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Pigmented Lesions (eg Mottled Pigmentation, Ephilides) and Benign Vascular Lesions (eg Diffuse Redness) (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Rosacea (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Epidermal Pigmented Lesions (eg Lentigo Solaris) (400-720nm). • Treatment of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris (530-750nm). Using Nd:YAG Laser, (1064 nm): • Treatment of Leg vessels (0.1 -3.0 mm diameter). • Treatment of Benign Vascular Lesions. • Treatment of Venous Lakes. • Treatment of Port Wine Stains. • Treatment for Clear Nail defined as: Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeasts Candida albicans, etc.). • Treatment of benign cutaneous lesions, such as warts. • Podiatry (ablation, vaporization, incision, excision, and coagulation of soft tissue), including: - Matrixectomy. - Periungal and subungal warts - Plantar warts. Using Frax 1550 Laser, (1550 nm): • The Frax 1550 nm laser is indicated for use in dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue, as well as for skin resurfacing procedures.”	FDA ClearedK053139 “1. Incision, excision, ablation, vaporization of soft tissue for general dermatology. 2. 532 nm wavelength: • removal of light ink (red, tan, purple, and orange) tattoos • removal of pigmented lesions • removal of vascular lesions • treatment of Lentigines • treatment of Cafe-Au-Lait • treatment of Common Nevi • treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses • treatment of Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. 3. 1064 nm wavelength: • removal of dark ink (black, blue and brown) tattoos • treatment of Nevus of Ota • removal or lightening of unwanted hair • treatment of Common Nevi • skin resurfacing with or without adjuvant preparation”

FDA status & indication

Candela Nordlys: FDA ClearedK161162, K192951, K212492
“Ellipse Nordlys system is intended to be used in dermatology, as tabled below: • Permanent Hair Reduction (defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime) (overall 600-950nm). • Treatment of Telangiectasias (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Port Wine Stains (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Pigmented Lesions (eg Mottled Pigmentation, Ephilides) and Benign Vascular Lesions (eg Diffuse Redness) (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Rosacea (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Epidermal Pigmented Lesions (eg Lentigo Solaris) (400-720nm). • Treatment of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris (530-750nm). Using Nd:YAG Laser, (1064 nm): • Treatment of Leg vessels (0.1 -3.0 mm diameter). • Treatment of Benign Vascular Lesions. • Treatment of Venous Lakes. • Treatment of Port Wine Stains. • Treatment for Clear Nail defined as: Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeasts Candida albicans, etc.). • Treatment of benign cutaneous lesions, such as warts. • Podiatry (ablation, vaporization, incision, excision, and coagulation of soft tissue), including: - Matrixectomy. - Periungal and subungal warts - Plantar warts. Using Frax 1550 Laser, (1550 nm): • The Frax 1550 nm laser is indicated for use in dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue, as well as for skin resurfacing procedures.”
Fotona QX MAX: FDA ClearedK053139
“1. Incision, excision, ablation, vaporization of soft tissue for general dermatology. 2. 532 nm wavelength: • removal of light ink (red, tan, purple, and orange) tattoos • removal of pigmented lesions • removal of vascular lesions • treatment of Lentigines • treatment of Cafe-Au-Lait • treatment of Common Nevi • treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses • treatment of Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. 3. 1064 nm wavelength: • removal of dark ink (black, blue and brown) tattoos • treatment of Nevus of Ota • removal or lightening of unwanted hair • treatment of Common Nevi • skin resurfacing with or without adjuvant preparation”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
Chain adoption	0 recorded pairings	0 recorded pairings
Chains using it	—	—
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Candela Nordlys: 0 recorded pairings
Fotona QX MAX: 0 recorded pairings

Chains using it

Candela Nordlys: —
Fotona QX MAX: —

Approved reviews

Candela Nordlys: 0
Fotona QX MAX: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
Manufacturer	Candela	Fotona
Built by (OEM)	Ellipse A/S	Fotona d.o.o.
Category	IPL/SWT platform	Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment
Technology	SWT narrowband IPL + Nd:YAG + Frax (Nd:YAG)	QS Nd:YAG 532/585/650/1064nm (Nd:YAG)
Launch year	2014	2010
Status	Current	Current
OEM platform	—	—

Manufacturer

Candela Nordlys: Candela
Fotona QX MAX: Fotona

Built by (OEM)

Candela Nordlys: Ellipse A/S
Fotona QX MAX: Fotona d.o.o.

Alternatives

Other devices in the same subcategory.

Astanza Eternity

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New: $60k–$80k

Astanza Trinity

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New: $100k–$130k

Quanta System Q-Plus C EVO

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New: $80k–$110k

Alma-Q

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New: $70k–$95k

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